LAHORE: Despite it being a holiday Sunday, Lahore continues to lead the world in pollution, with no significant drop in the city’s air quality.
The city’s smog levels remain dangerously high, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 409, keeping it at the top of the global pollution index.
In some areas, pollution levels have reached alarming heights. The AQI in Burki Road has spiked to 593, with DHA recording 451 and Thokar Niaz Beg at 416, making outdoor activities hazardous.
According to the Meteorological Department, Lahore’s temperatures are also adding to the discomfort. The minimum temperature is forecasted to be 21°C, while the maximum could reach 33°C. Winds have been mild, with a recorded speed of 10 kilometers per hour.
Adding to the woes, the sea breeze that normally cools the city is expected to remain suspended throughout the day, with the temperature likely to soar to 39°C, and the “feels like” temperature potentially climbing to a stifling 45°C. This hot weather spell is expected to last for the next four to five days, keeping residents in challenging conditions.
Meanwhile, in Sindh, hot and dry weather is expected to prevail, with a chance of rain, gusty winds, and thunderstorms in Tharparkar, Umarkot, and nearby regions by evening or night. Similar weather is expected to continue into Monday.
Historically, October has been a hot and humid month, second only to May and June in terms of heat, with temperatures gradually cooling down from early to mid-November. This year’s weather pattern, however, has added to the discomfort in an already smog-choked city.
